ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Muhammed Chaudhry
Wednesday said the investigations into Memogate scandal will be more
transparent under the judiciary.
The Supreme Court commenced its
proceedings in memo scandal with the arguments of Asma Jahangir,
counsel of former Pakistani ambassador to the US Hussain Haqqani, who
prayed to the court to call American-Pakistani businessman Mansoor Ijaz
to appear before the bench.
"We are raring to cross-question him ( Mansoor Aijaz)," she added.
The
Chief Justice said only Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) General Ashfaq
Parvez Kayani and Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Lieutenant
General Ahmed Shuja Pasha acknowledged the existence of the memorandum
allegedly written to the US government against the Pak Army.
The
Chief Justice further noted Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani also
did not deny its presence, adding President Asif Ali Zardari did not
submit his rejoinder; but it does not mean he denied the existence of
the memo.
Miss Jahangir stressed if President is responsible for
this, then, a case regarding his impeachment comes into the question,
saying, ’If Haqqani is involved in its writing, then it is a criminal
case against him.’
This does not pertain absolutely to the basic rights of anyone, she added.
’The investigations under our supervision will be more transparent,’ the CJ Chaudhry remarked.
Asma
said, ’If the trial is to take place at the apex court, then Mansoor
Aijaz should be called here. We are geared up to cross-question him.’
She
further stressed her client Hussain Haqqani shouldered his diplomatic
responsibilities under extremely difficult conditions, as he had to
contact a host of people in the wake of May 2nd incidents.
’And, the conversation with Mansoor Aijaz was in this very perspective,’ she added.
Justice Shakirullah Jan said the high-level meetings and Haqqani’s resignation signify the presence of the memo.
Asma Jahangir argued, ’You look at the matter in legal perspective and the media will view it for purpose of press trial.’
The
Chief Justice said, ’You may call a matter of national security and
solidarity a political question. We should bring to an end the attidue
of concealing things, as matters from Liaquat Ali Khan to Benazir Bhutto
could not be found out thus far.’
"We work under only and only
the Constitution and the law," he added remarking the matters come to
the courts if the assemblies cease to function.
The CJ asked as to why references were sent f the court cannot look into these matters.
Asma said, ’You committed errors in 200 cases including that of Nusrat Bhutto.’
Reference is sent to the apex court if ban on certain political party is sought, the CJ Chaudhry remarked. Online
